FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT MARIANO RIVERA - PAGE 5

New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte is close to finalizing a one-year, $11 million deal, according to multiple reports. Pettitte fared well in 12 regular season starts in 2012, then made two postseason starts. He posted a 2.87 ERA in 75 1/3 regular-season innings in 2012, but missed six weeks after a batted ball broke his left ankle. With Pettitte, the Yankees' rotation will have CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova. Also, the Yankees continue to negotiate with Russell Martin, though the catcher has visited with multiple teams his agent told ESPN New York.

The New York Yankees have made a one-year, $12-million offer to free agent Kevin Youkilis, hoping to fill their void at third base, according to MLB.com. Youkilis, 33, finished last season with the Chicago White Sox after spending his entire career with the Boston Red Sox. He batted a combined .235 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs. Youkilis would fill the void left by Alex Rodriguez, who is expected to miss most of the first half of 2013 after having a second hip surgery. The Yankees have spent this winter re-signing their own free agents in closer Mariano Rivera and pitchers Andy Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda.

A day after Mariano Rivera said "if they don't give the respect that I deserve, I have to move on," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he intends to speak with the All-Star closer-- but would not necessarily offer a contract extension beyond 2007. Rivera seldom says anything controversial, and his remarks dominated the back pages of Tuesday's tabloids in New York. Rivera, 37, will earn $10.5 million this season, completing a deal that pays him $31.5 million over three years.

Roger Clemens is scheduled to be part of a Mariano Rivera ceremony in Houston when the New York Yankees visit the Astros in late September. The September 27-29 series is the last one of the regular season for both teams. If the Yankees do not make the American League playoffs, it will be Rivera's final series of his career as he is set to retire at the end of the season. Clemens agreed to participate in a pregame ceremony for Rivera during the series, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The Sports Xchange Rivera says knee surgery went perfectly New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera reported on his Twitter account that his knee surgery on Tuesday "went perfectly. " "My surgery was a success, it went perfectly. I am looking forward to beginning my rehab soon. Thanks as always for your prayers. #GodBless," Riveria tweeted. Rivera, 42, tore his right anterior-cruciate ligament and damaged meniscus in the knee while fielding fly balls in batting practice May 3. A blood clot discovered in his right calf delayed the surgery until Tuesday.

SportsDirect Inc. Recap: Yankees 6, Orioles 5 Yankees 6, Orioles 5: Baltimore closer Jim Johnson wild-pitched home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth and visiting New York wrapped up the four-game series with three straight wins. Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer, Curtis Granderson added a solo shot and Vernon Wells delivered a two-run single for the Yankees, who remained one game behind Tampa Bay for the second wild card in the American League. David Robertson surrendered a three-run tying homer to Danny Valencia in the eighth so the official scorer credited the win to Mariano Rivera (6-2)

The Sports Xchange EditorsNote: adds sentence at end of sixth graf to clarify Liriano's contract status Rivera, Liriano win Comeback Player of Year awards Mariano Rivera heads off into retirement with another trophy. The legendary New York Yankees closer was selected the American League winner of the Comeback Player of the Year award. Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano won the National League award -- the second Comeback Player of the Year honor of his career.

The Sports Xchange EditorsNote: updates with Ripken, Rivera Padres draft Manziel in 28th round Johnny Baseball? The San Diego Padres spent a pick Saturday in the baseball draft on an infielder better known for his football prowess. Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was selected in the 28th round as the 837th overall pick by the Padres. Manziel didn't play baseball in college while at Texas A&M but discussed the possibility with coaches before deciding to stick with football.

The Yankees welcomed back Gary Sheffield and Mariano Rivera in a 4-1 victory over the Devil Rays on Friday. Sheffield returning to the lineup for the first time since May 29, debuted at first base. Rivera pitched the ninth and earned his 34th save in his first appearance since Aug. 31. Rivera struck out the side around a broken-bat single and a hit batter. Sheffield, who had seven putouts, saved a run with the score tied 1-1 by scooping third baseman Miguel Cairo's throw out of the dirt to end the sixth with a runner on third.